A far-reaching proposal advanced by the United States to end the international trade in polar bears and polar bear body parts was defeated Thursday at a United Nations-sponsored conservationist meeting in Bangkok.
Delegates at the triennial meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, voted on over 70 proposals regarding the animal trade. Opposition to the polar bear trade ban was led by Canadian delegates in support of the Inuit tribes of northern Canada. The Inuit tribal group contended that any changes to the polar bear trade would have an adverse effect on their way of life and livelihoods.
Passage of the proposal required a two-third majority of votes. The final tally was 38 votes to support the ban, 42 against and 46 delegates choosing to abstain. This the second time in three years Canadian delegates have helped to block similar proposals.
Along with banning the polar bear trade, the U.S. proposed a status change for the polar bears from "vulnerable" to "endangered" and even a declaration of "threatened," if scientists concluded climate change was causing a loss in population.
According to the World Wildlife Foundation, the world population of polar bears is estimated to be 25,000, with the majority in northern Canada.
Dan Ashe, head of the American delegation told the New Times that polar bears are endangered by the melting of Arctic sea ice, which has shrunk their habitats. Ashe also claims that increased prices for polar bear hides led to an increase in hunting of the animals.
Inuit tribal leaders contend that polar bear populations are not in decline and that suitable regulations are already in place.
